Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-11-26
Reminiscense Of Remenyi. ,
HOW he CAPTURED NAVAL OFFICERS IN JAPAN WIT
FAMILIAR AIR.

A Reminiscense Of Remenyj.
HOW he CAPTURED NAVAL OFFICERS IN JAPAN WITH
FAMILIAR AIR.
From the New York World.
The shipwreck and death by drowning recently
OF Remenyi, the celebrated violinist, recalls an
incident relating to him which occurred in Yoko-
hama, Japan, about year ago. The United States
man-of-war Omaha, temporarily the flagship OF
the Asiatic squadron, was lying In the harbor.
Remenyi, who was travelling through Japan, was
ON shore at the Grand Hotel, and the ward-rOOm
officers OF the Omaha, to many OF whom he was
personally known, decided to give a dinner in his
honor on board ship. Saturday was the day fixed
the lavishly hospitable scale which characterized
the entertainments OF the Omaha's officers during
their long SoIOurn In the far East.
IL was out or the question to suggest even in
the most delicate manner, that their distinguished
guest should bring his violin, but all hoped he
would do SO, and when he came over the side they
saw with delight that he was accompanied by
his beloved princess" as he called his pet violin
The ward-room was beautifully decorated with
chrysanthemums, the national emblem OF Japan:
the dinner was charming, and the officers WED
with each other in courteous attentions to the
celebrated artist, who proved himself as agreeable
licted, Lemenyi drew his violin from the case and
for an hour held every soul on board the shin en-
tranced by the wondrous sweetness OF his music.
After the final toast to "SweetheartS and Wives
without which no Saturday night dinner on board
ship is complete, he again drew his magic wand
softly over the strings and stole swiftly but surely
Into the very heart OF hearts OF every man there
with the tender, sweetly familiar notes OF "Home
Sweet Home" played as 1t was never PLAYED
before, and as alas! 1t never can be played again
There was once a man who said that although
he had splendid ear for music he could only dis
tingush two tunes one " as "GOd Save the Queen {"
and the other wasn't. 1t Is safe, however, to say
that the other was "HOme, Sweet Home" for there
Is no air In the world so universally known. none
Which so appeals TO the heart and sentiment OF
every man as that touching, sad little melody and
have seen grun old tars who would think tear
disgrace sob like babies wnen listening to those
pathetic notes In some far-or land.
Remenyl played as II inspired, his pale face
raised heavenward, his eyes closed his long white
fingers gliding lovingly over the strings Willie the
OmcerS sat breathleSsly around, pale with emo
ton, their thoughts stray1ng to mothers sweet
hearts, children, and wives thousands OF miles
away.
AT that moment q hurried footstep overhead a
slight cOmmot1on on deck, heralded the return to
the ship OF the captain, who had been dining on
shore, and moment after his orderly appeared at
the door OF the ward-foOm with an order from the
gallant commander to "stop that flddling.r
CONSERVATION was depicted on every cOunte-
nance, and bitter, helpless rage filled every breast
so recently softened by those matchless tones hut
there was no redress. captain Is all powerful
on his own ship. Who among them could inter-
rupt this prince OF voltnists to tell him that the
marvellous voice or his princess must be
sienced? Oh, the shame and modification OF It for
them, the gross insult to him. Remenyi opened
his eyes, he saw the troubled faces OF the officers
In whose eyes the tears were still standing he saw
the orderly, Stin and uncOmpromsinR, In the door
way, and seeming TO divine the situation, with In.
finite tact he checked himself in medals res and
with little sharp sound as Of breaking string
he placed his princess" tenderly In her little
cOffin-shaped rosewood box, scattered few how
ers upon the lid, and with q pleading, pathetic
smile, whispered softly: ReOutesc0t in Dacei